Trawler Manned With Free Labour

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 720, 20 July 1929, Page 1

Trawler Manned With Free Labour

SERFIB GOES TO SEA NEGOTIATIONS PROCEED No settlement being reached yesterday in the dispute between sgnford, Limited. and the crews of the trawler; James Cosgrove and Serflb. the employers manned the Sort“: with free labour yesterday evening and sent the vessel to sea. The original 'crew had been paid oil on Thursday when the trouble arose, and early yesterday the vessel was taken over to the company’s hulk at Chelsea to coal. The non-union crew and stores were later put on board when the vessel lay in the stream, and shortly after five o'clock the Serfib iet‘t port. As further negotiations between the men and the employers are still proceeding. the company has not yet decided to man the James Cosgrove with tree labour, but will do so if an early agreement is not reached. ’ "The labour employed for the Serllb should prove quite suitable," remarked Mr. A. W. Brockie, general msnsger of the company. “They are as keen as mustard and there are plenty of them.” "I am satisfied that the majority of the men do not want to strike," said Mr. Brockie. “The present position is the work of one or two agitators. We were forced to take on non-union labour by the action of the men, and, althoush we are prepared to take the same steps on all the other trawlers, we are still hopeful that the necessity will not arise. It is a bad time of the year for men to be out or work.” CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS The Serflb is expected to return to {Auckland after trawling toward the end of next week, and if the dispute continues the James Cosgrove will be sent to sea early next week, and it is expected that the same course will be followed with the Humphrey, which is due back at Auckland on Monday, and the Thomas Currell, the west coast trawler, which is scheduled to return to Onehunga from the coast on Thursday. This morning the conciliation council which, prior to the strike, had been discussing various points in the award, resumed its sitting.